The 33rd Inf Div has been tasked with the mission of defending Chicago. The Division is composed of elements of the Illinois National Guard, and has some regular army attachments. Two Land Ironclads were sent to Chicago to aid in the defense of the city. The decision was made to take advantage of the winter break in fighting to build outer defenses, and construction was started on a forward redoubt.
The redoubt was well under construction when Martian Scout Tripods were observed in the area. In anticipation of a Martian attack the 2 Ironclads and an understrength tank battalion were sent to bolster the forces building the redoubt.
The Martian attack was led by the Red Martian and consisted of 4 Aggression Cells, at least 1 Fire Support Cell, and a heavily reinforced Slaver Cell. About 7,000pts for the Martians and 4,000pts for the US defenders.
The Martians hit the forward defensive positions with an all out assault. Two Infantry platoons manned the trench line and had the support of some 4-Inch gun turrets. They were quickly overrun and the few survivors headed for the main defensive line. The artillery and anti-tripod guns along with the 12-inch guns of the Ironclads opened fire. However their initial volleys had little to no effect on the advancing Tripods. This only seemed to encourage the Martians as they pressed forward. It was now the Artillerys turn to come under fire from the Martian Heat Rays and they started taking heavy losses as well. The Tanks of the tank battalion began to engage that Martians along with the 12-inch guns and 7-inch guns from the Ironclad. The Martians took a few losses, but not what was hoped for by the US Commanders. The Martains were now on the main defense line and it seemed like the earth opened up to consume one and all. There were heavy exchanges between the Tripods and the tank battalion, with the tank battalion taking heavy losses. The tank battalion also faced a new threat, Scorpion Drones & Shock drones, these added to the confusion and losses taken. But now when all seemed lost all the guns from the 2 Ironclads opened fire and began to inflict damage to the attackers. Several Tripods exploded and several more took heavy damage having fire control and manuver problems. This helped weaken the Martian attack, but still they pressed forward. The decisive moments occured when the Martian Drones and Lobototons were about to hit the major defense line in force when the Ironclads took out all the Slavers rendereing the drone/lobototon force helpless. The remaining Tripods turned their attention to the Ironclads but inflicted little damage to them. One of the ironclads took a critical hit and lost a 4-inch gun, but otherwise were untouched. It was at this point that the Martains fell back and called off their attack. But they will return.
This game will be run at least twice at Little Wars. The midwests largest historical miniatures gaming convention, which will be held at the DuPage Expo Center, St Charles Illinois 24-26 April 2015.
